Recognising effort at district schools

It’s school awards season and school communities across Rankin have been recognising students’ achievements in academic, sporting and cultural activities.

Already I’ve seen firsthand the hard work of students, teachers and parents at schools like Kingston College, Springwood High, Woodridge High, Browns Plains High, and more.

In my experience, the schools in which teachers and parents work closely together to support their students are the ones that create the best environment for success.

I’ve really enjoyed the opportunity to hand out an award of my own at each of the schools. The Jim Chalmers Rankin Award is awarded to a Grade 12 student who has overcome adversity to achieve a passing grade at school, enabling them to go on to further studies.

It’s not always about getting straight A’s. Some students need to work harder than all their peers to get through with a pass and they deserve to be recognised for their efforts.

These students do not make it to graduation without the substantial support of teachers, parents and the wider school community to help them overcome their obstacles.

I was really pleased to be able to attend the recent Showcase Awards for Excellence in Schools gala. From Rankin, Calamvale Community College, Mabel Park State High School, Berrinba East State School and Waterford West just over the electorate border were all nominated for excellence awards for their pioneering programs supporting kids from diverse backgrounds and ability levels.

There are also several new programs in the local area that have been designed to foster closer connections and friendships between schools.

For example, I met with people from the SVA Bright Spots Schools Connection program which helps school leaders develop partnerships with colleagues from other schools around Australia, so that they can collectively develop support programs for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

All around Logan, there is a lot of work being done by our schools, teachers and parents to make sure that our next generation is smarter and more successful than any before them and I’m proud to support their efforts.

Published in the Logan Reporter on November 15, 2013.

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